We are entering a dark time where compassion and striving for justice are becoming subversive activities.
To many in our land, “the least of our brothers and sisters” is being replaced by hateful rhetoric from racist, xenophobic religious and political leaders. They have abandoned The Sermon on the Mount, calling it “wokeness.”
Picture this. A pastor finishes his sermon, offers a closing benediction, then closes his Bible. He has just preached a moving homily on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew—a cornerstone teaching of Christianity. He walks to the church lobby and begins shaking hands with his parishioners.
“Where did you get those liberal talking points?” someone abruptly challenges him.
“I’m literally quoting Jesus Christ,” the startled pastor replies.
“Yes, but that doesn’t work anymore. That’s weak.”
In his book Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America leading evangelical writer and theologian Russel Moore recounts how many discouraged pastors have described similar scenarios happening within their own congregations.
[Tim] Alberta’s new book The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory is a riveting portrait of faith under siege, broken trust, money, and manipulation for power and political gain, as well as hope, courage in the face of a storm, and the ultimate bottom-line question: What does it really mean to be an evangelical in America today? – Liberty Magazine
John Oliver / Project 2025
Want to see something truly scary?
WLBOTT Ministry of Virtue and Vice: Large quantities of f-bombs.
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It’s easy to get down. We pray for peace. We pray for hope.
I spent some time with AI, imagining some of our dark scenarios, and hopefully a transition to compassion.
Microsoft NT: Nice Try
For the exact same prompt of the above images, Microsoft Copilot created these images from an old prompt.
Reference: The Beatitudes
The Beatitudes are sayings of Jesus, and in particular eight or nine blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, and four in the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke, followed by four woes which mirror the blessings. Each is a proverb-like proclamation, without narrative.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you...
Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result. In almost all cases the phrases used are familiar from an Old Testament context, but in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus elevates them to new levels and teachings. Together, the Beatitudes present a new set of ideals that focus on love and humility rather than force and exaction. They echo the highest ideals of Jesus’ teachings on spirituality and compassion.
